Off-sales booze ban for Old Firm match days

ALCOHOL could be barred from sale in shops throughout Glasgow before Old Firm games as part of a plan to reduce the amount of football-related violence at or around matches, under plans being considered by police and government officials.

Talks between police and supermarkets will take place over the coming weeks to consider the moves that would bring off-sales into line with pubs, which are also shut until the games begin.

However, licence holders say that the moves would only lead to drinkers stocking up in advance of a game, while also inconveniencing hundreds of supermarket customers who want to buy alcohol as part of their shop.